KOLKATA: David Hussey scored a brilliant 38 not out to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to a thrilling five-wicket win over Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Eden Gardens here Sunday.
Chasing a target of 111, the hosts romped home to victory in the 19th over with some big hits from Hussey to seal the Riders' second win on the trot - and the first win on home ground.
Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers utilised a poor pitch to skittle out a strong batting line up of the Deccan Chargers for 110 in their Indian Premier League tie here on Sunday.
The Chargers never appeared comfortable as only five of their batsmen reached double figures, with the Aussie duo of Andrew Symonds (32) and Adam Gilchrist (23) being the main contributors before a near-capacity crowd at the Eden Gardens.
Spinner Murali Kartik (3/17) was the wrecker-in-chief for the Knight riders, while Ajit Agarkar bagged a couple after being hammered for 16 runs in his first over.
Electing to bat, the Chargers lost quick wickets as their top order caved in to some disciplined stuff delivered by the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers on a two-paced wicket, giving the visitors a trying time. Some of the balls kept low while some other deliveries jumped awkwardly.
Young Ashok Dinda, playing only his second Twenty20 match, opened the bowling and generated a good pace. His new ball partner Ishant Sharma also maintained a good line and length while sending down his customary fiery deliveries.
Success came Ishant's way in his second over, when Deccan Chargers' opener venugopal Rao departed giving a simple catch to Kaartik at gully.
Skipper V V S Laxman departed soon after without bothering the scorer, as Dinda got his first wicket, reducing the Hyderabad-based side to 22/2 in 4.2 overs.
The dangerous Adam Gilchrist sought to carry the fight into the opponents' camp in the next over as he clobbered Agarkar, the first change bowler, in his very first over for 16 runs, inclusive of two sixes and a boundary.
Ganguly turned to his spinners, and Kartik obliged him by evicting Gilchrist and Rohit Sharma (0) in his second over, as Chargers became 48/4.
While the veteran Aussie went for a pull and finished in the hands of deep square leg fielder Hafeez, young Bengal wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha took a fine diving catch after running a few yards in front of the wicket.
The 50 of the innings was posted in 9.2 overs, before Styris (6) returned to the pavilion.
As wickets continued to fall one after the other, Andrew Symonds tried to launch a counter-offensive in the 17th over as he disdainfully dispatched spinner David hussey for two successive sixes.
The over produced 20 runs, and saw the total past 100.
Symonds was finally devoured by Agarkar, with Hussey takinga skier in the extra cover region, and soon after the tourists' knock came to a close.
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